Window regulator



Jan. 31, 1961 J. HIMKA 2,969,977 7 WINDOW REGULATOR Original Filed Jan.20, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 I i /zZ. L J I ZIEJ a I fi- 10 W? in mINVENTOR BY$M ATTORNEY Jan. 31, 1961 J. HIMKA- wmnow REGULATOR 3sheets-sheet 2 Original Filed Jan. 20, 1954 AT TOR NEY Jan. 31, 1961 J.HlMKA wmnow REGULATOR s Sheets-Sheet 3 Original Filed Jan. 20, 1954 ItVa ATTORNEY 'or closed position.

WINDOW REGULATOR John Himka, 'Farmington, Mich assignor to General'Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of DelawareContinuation of application Ser. No. 405,135, Jan. 20, 1954. Thisapplication Mar. 9, 1959, Ser. No. 798,308

9 Claims. (Cl. 268-124) 'raised'or lowered from within a vehicle door,side panel 'or the like. The principal concern in moving such planesurfaced members is their vertical movement with but minor concern forsuch horizontal movement as is required toeffect proper sealing of thewindow in its raised Automotive designs have now made it desirable to beable to use curved window glass mem- 'bers with automotive vehicles. Theadaptation of such curved membersto stationary mountings presents butfew problems. However, the movement of a curved member from within ahousing structure to a raised or closed position in which there isproper alignment and good weather sealing involved concern not only forvertical movement but for specific vertical, horizontal and transversemovement to enable the curved member to pass easily through an access ofminimum width without adverse strain and to effect the required closure.

It is noW proposed to provide a window regulator or lift mechanism formoving a window glass member of compound-curvature into a closedposition in conformance with body panel contours. The movement of suchcurved member is to be as defined by guide members secured within thehousing structure. The curved member is engaged by lift means at bothbottom sides to enable controlled positive movement through thespecified path of travel. The window glass is restrained against unduevibration or other movement which might cause damage to the glass memberand is adapted to pass through an access of minimum width withoutadverse strain upon its side faces.

In the drawings:

Figure l showsa fragmentary view of an automobile body having theproposed Window regulator incorporated within a side door. A section ofthe door has been broken away to more clearly show the invention.

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view taken in the plane of line 22 ofFigure l and viewed in the direction of the arrows thereon.

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view of one of the guide followers astaken in the plane of line 3-3 of Figure l and viewed in the direct-ionof the arrows thereon.

Figure 4 is a cross sectional View of another of the guide followers astaken in the plane of line 4-4 of Figure l and viewed in the directionof the arrows thereon.

Figure 5 is an enlargement of a portion of Figure 2 showing certainpertinent features in more detail.

Figure 6 is across sectional View of the window stop device as taken inthe plane of line 6--6 of Figure l and viewed in the direction of thearrows thereon.

atent "0 plate upon the door panel.

2,969,977 Patented Jan. 31, 1961 There is shown in Figure 1 a vehiclebody 10 within which a vehicle 'door 12 is mounted. The vehicle door 12includes an inner and outer door panel 1 4 and 16 secured together andspaced apart to form a chamber 18 within which the proposed windowregulating mechanism is adapted to be housed. A backing plate 20 issecured to the inner door'panel 14 as by fastening means 22 disposed insuch locations as will provide the best support for'the Guide members244 and 26 are secured to the backing plate 20 as by brackets 28 andfasteners 30. The one guide member 24 is conveXly curved and formed toprovide two: separate guide tracks one of'which is a channeled track 32and'the other of which is a flat rail track 34. The othergguide member26 includes merely-aflat rail'track 36. In'between the guide members 24-and.'26 a channeled guide member 33 is secured to the backing plate'20as bybrackets 4-0 and 42 and fastening means 44. The one bracket 42-isprovided with an elongated slot 46 to enable adjustment of the channeledguide member 38 upon the backing plate.

A window receiving frame 48 is provided which'is adapted to retain awindow glass member'50 ofcompound curvature. The frame '48 includes achanneled member .SZhaving a gasket 54 and adapted to receive the lowerextremity of the window glass member "50. A second channeled member 56is secured to the leading edge of the glass member 50 and is preferablychrome plated.

A weather seal 58 islsecured to the channeled member 56 and is adaptedto engage the pillar post 60 of thevehic'le body .10 when the window isin the closed position. 'The window frame *48 also includes a dependingplate 62 having the channeled membersSZ and 56 secured thereto.

Guide followers 64, 66 and 68 are secured to the dependthechanneledtrack 3320f the guide member 24. L'Ihe other'guide followers'66a-nd'68 comprise a bracket having forked arms 81 and '82 and secured tothe backing plate as by fasteners '84. Rollers 86 and 88 are secured tothe arms as by straps'90 holding down the roller pins 92. .Therollers'StS and 88 are adapted to engage opposite sides of the railtracks 34 or'36.

A window'lift control'box94 within which an electric motor or otherdrive device and associated members are disposed is secured to-thebacking plate 29. A bracket 96 is secured to the control box 94 as .byfasteners98. A connecting arm 100, operatively connected tothe drivemeans within the control box 94,.is pivotally associated with thebracket 96 as about pivot .pin 102. A coil spring 1M secured to thepivot pin and engaging the bracket 96 is adapted'to assist the drivemeans in moving the connecting arm.

'The'connecting arm'ltltl has a knob 108 secured to its outer endand'slidably engaged within a grooved bracket 110 secured to thedepending plate 62 of the window receivingframe 48. A coil spring'llZand spring collar 114 are provided about the knob 108, 'as' is shown inFigure 5, to hold the knob inrattle-free engagement with thebracket'lltl. The connecting armltltl is hinged as at 1% to enablegreater flexibility of alignment between the depending plate '62 and theend of the connecting arm associated with the drive "means.

A second arm 116 is pivotally secured to the connecting arm as at 118.One end of the arm 116 is slidably engaged in agrooved bracket 120.secured to the dependingplate as by a knob or button 122 similar 'tothat of the'knob 108 and likewise spring biased. "The 4 jackknifefolding action within a channel recess 126 formed therewithin.

An opening 128 is provided in the top of the vehicle door 12 where theinner and outer door panels 14 and 16 come together. The window glassmember is adapted to be raised through the opening 128 to a closedposition abutting the post 60 or to be lowered through the opening towithin the vehicle door 12. Weather stripping 130 is secured within theopening 128 to the sides of the door forming the opening. An ornamentalmolding strip 132 is secured to the top of the outer door panel 16. Inthe present instance the molding strip 132 is of transparent material. Astrengthening member 134 is secured to the inside of the outer doorpanel 16.

In order to limit the upward travel of the curved glass member a stop136 is secured to the depending plate 62 and is adapted to be engaged bya bolt 138 threaded through a flanged bracket 140 secured to the doorpanel 14. The bolt 138 may be adjusted to regulate the extent of travelof the window glass member 50 to its raised position. A bumper element142 is secured to the lower end of the guide member 24 to limit thetravel of the window 50 to its lowered position such as is shown inphantom at 144.

With all of the elements forming the proposed window regulator securedto the backing plate 20, the backing plate is secured to the inner panel14 of the vehicle door 12. The guide members 24, 26 and 38 are adjustedto assure freedom of travel of the window frame 48. The guide members 24and 26 which are curved to complement the curvature of the window member50 are so arranged on the backing plate 20 with the guide followersengaged thereon as will enable the window member 50 to be movedvertically through the opening 128 formed in the door 12 without unduestrain or stress upon its side faces. The portion of the window member50 passing through the opening 128 is at all times spaced from the sidesof the opening, or lightly engaged with the weather stripping 130. Inorder to assure proper movement of the frame 48 along the guide membersthe grooved brackets 110 and 120 are also checked to assure a relativelyeffortless slidable connection between the knobs or buttons 108 and 122of the lift arms 110 and 116 and the brackets. The hinged connection ofthe connecting arm 100 as at 106 requires that little attention be giventhe alignment of the arm since its flexibility transversely of its pathof movement allows sufficient compensation for minor errors ofalignment. Such flexibility also enables the arm 100 to follow thedepending plate 62 as it is moved along the curved guide member 24.

With the Window member 50 in the lowered position as shown in phantom at144 the arms 100 and 116 are jackknifed together to provide a ridgedcross brace. Restraint is imposed upon movement of the frame 48 andwindow member 50 transversely of its intended travel path by the guidefollowers 64 and 68 engaging respective guide members 26 and 38 and thebrace formed by aligned arms 100 and 116 as well as the guide follower66 engaging guide member 24 therebelow. Such re straint will preventdamage to the window member 50 when housed within the door as wouldotherwise be possible by slamming the door.

As the drive means disposed within the control box 94 are operated theconnecting arm 100 engaged within the grooved bracket 110 on one end ofthe frame 48 tends to lift the frame. At the same time the second arm116, being secured to the connecting arm 100 and engaged within thegrooved bracket 120 secured to the other end of the frame 48 also tendsto raise the frame.

The two arms and 116 unfold or open in scissor fashion. The frame israised along the guide members 24 and 26 with the guide 38 restrainingthe end of arm 116 to assure proper lift and alignment of the glassmember 50 as it passes through opening 128 of the door 12. When thewindow member 50 has reached its raised or closed position, with theweather seal 58 engaging the pillar post 60, the stop 136 is engaged bythe bolt 138 and further travel upward is prohibited.

Lowering the window member 50 is a reversal of the given operation withdownward travel limited by the engagement of the frame 48 with bumperelement 142.

I claim.'

I. In a vehicle body having a window opening therein, a vehicle windowcurved both longitudinally and laterally thereof and adapted to open andclose said opening, a pair of spaced guide members, each having aguiding edge portion curved both longitudinally and laterally withrespect to said window and extending generally longitudinally withrespect thereto, spaced pairs of first guide rollers rotatably mountedon said window on generally longitudinally disposed axes with respectthereto, each pair slidably and rotatably receiving said guiding edgeportion of one of said guide members therebetween for guiding lateralshifting movement of said window and permitting longitudinal shiftingmovement thereof, a guide channel on at least one of said guide membersopening to said window and disposed adjacent said guiding edge portionthereof, said channel being curved both longitudinally and laterallywith respect to said window, and a second guide roller rotatably mountedon said window on a generally laterally disposed axis with respectthereto and being slidably and rotatably received within said channelfor guiding longitudinal shifting movement of said window and permittinglateral shifting movement thereof, said first and second guide rollerscooperatively guiding both lateral and longitudinal shifting movement ofsaid window.

2. A movable panel regulator linkage comprising first and second rigidlevers pivotally articulated together intermediate the ends thereof andhaving pivots at corresponding ends thereof to a panel to be regulated,one of said lever pivots permitting bodily shifting of said panel inreference to its pivotal axis, means to pivot one of said levers inopposite directions about a fixed axis which is opposed to its panelpivot in reference to the pivotal axis of articulation of the levers,and a fixed guide movably engaged by the other lever in a similaropposed relation of the same to its panel pivot, said guide having aformation controlling said other lever in the movement thereof, wherebyto impart different movements of a simultaneous, composite pivotal,horizontal and vertical character to points on said panel locatedoutwardly in reference to the respective panel-lever pivots.

3. A movable panel regulator linkage comprising first and second rigidlevers pivotally articulated together intermediate the ends thereof andhaving pivots at corresponding ends thereof to a panel to be regulated,said first lever pivot permitting rectilinear bodily shifting of saidpanel in reference to its pivotal axis, means to pivot said second leverin opposite directions about a fixed axis which is opposed to its panelpivot in reference to the pivotal axis of articulation of the levers,and a fixed guide movably engaged by said first lever in a similaropposed relation of the same to its panel pivot, said guide having anirregularly shaped, curvilinear formation controlling said first leverin the movement thereof, whereby to impart different movements of asimultaneous, composite pivotal horizontal and vertical character topoints on said panel located outwardly in reference to the respectivepanel-lever pivots.

4. A window regulator mechanism for continuously 1mparting simultaneoustranslational and rotational com ponents of movement to a window to movesaid window between open and closed positions along a curvilinear pathcomprising, a support, a pair of spaced curvilinear shaped guide meanson said support, spaced guide follower means on said window respectiveto said guide means, each guide follower means being movable along arespective guide means for guiding movement of said window along saidcurvilinear path, a driving arm pivotally mounted on said support andpivotally connected to said window, a balance arm pivoted on saiddriving arm and pivotally connected to said window, curvilinearshapedguide means mounted on said support and defining a predeterminedcurvilinear path, and means pivotally connecting said balance arm tosaid last mentioned guide means, said connecting means being movablealong said predetermined curvilinear path as said driving arm impartstranslational movement to said window to control swinging of saidbalance arm about said driving arm and thereby control rotationalmovement of said window about said pivotal connection of said drivingarm to said window by said balance arm.

5. A window regulator mechanism for continuously imparting simultaneoustranslational and rotational components of movement to a Window to movesaid Window between open and closed positions along a curvilinear pathcomprising, a support, first and second spaced curvilinear shaped guidemembers on said support, spaced guide follower means on said windowrespective to said guide members, each guide follower means beingmovable along a respective guide member for guiding movement of saidwindow along said curvilinear path, a driving arm pivotally mounted onsaid support and pivotally connected to said window, a balance armpivoted on said driving arm and pivotally connected to said window, athird curvilinear-shaped guide member mounted on said support anddefining a predetermined curvilinear path, and guide follower meanspivotally connecting said balance arm to said third guide member, saidlast-mentioned guide follower means being movable along saidpredetermined curvilinear path as said driving arm imparts translationalmovement to said window to control swinging of said balance arm aboutsaid driving arm and thereby control rotational movement of said windowabout said pivotal connection of said driving arm to said window by saidbalance arm, said guide members being generally curved in the samedirection with respect to the pivotal mounting of said driving arm onsaid support.

6. A window regulator mechanism for continuously imparting simultaneoustranslational and rotational components of movement to a window to movesaid window between open and closed positions along a curvilinear pathcomprising, a support, first and second spaced curvilinear-shaped guidemembers on said support, spaced guide followers on said windowrespective to said guide members, each guide follower being movablealong a respective guide member for guiding movement of said windowalong said curvilinear path, a driving arm pivotally mounted on saidsupport and pivotally connected to said window, a balance arm pivoted onsaid driving arm, a third guide member on said window, a guide followerpivotally connecting said window balance arm to said third guide member,a fourth guide member mounted on said support, a guide followerpivotally connecting said balance arm to said fourth guide member, atleast one of said third and fourth guide members defining apredetermined curvilinear path, the guide follower respective to saidone of said guide members being movable along said predeterminedcurvilinear path as said driving arm imparts translational movement tosaid window to control swinging of said balance arm about said drivingarm and thereby control rotational movement of said window about saidpivotal connection of said driving arm to said window by said balancearm.

7. A window regulator mechanism for continuously imparting simultaneoustranslational and rotational components of movement to a window to movesaid window between open and closed positions along a curvilinear pathcomprising, a support, a driving arm pivotally mounted on said supportand pivotally connected to said window, a balance arm pivotedintermediate its ends on said driving arm, means pivotally connectingone end of said balance arm to said window, guided means, guide meansmounting said guided means on said support for movement in apredetermined curvilinear path, said guided means pivotally connectingthe other end of said balance arm to said guide means, said guided meansbeing continuously movable along said predetermined curvilinear path assaid driving arm imparts translational movement to said window tocontrol swinging of said balance arm about said driving arm and therebycontrol rotational movement of said window about the pivotal connectionof said driving arm to said window by said balance arm, said driving armimparting translational components of movement to said window and saidbalance arm and guided means simultaneously imparting continuouscomponents of rotational movement to said window to cause said window tomove between open and closed positions along a curvilinear path.

8. A window regulator mechanism for continuously imparting simultaneoustranslational and rotational components of movement to a window to movesaid window between open an closed positions along a curvilinear pathcomprising, a support, a driving arm pivotally mounted on said supportand pivotally connected to said window, a balance arm pivotedintermediate its ends on said driving arm, means pivotally connectingone end of said balance arm to said window, guided means, guide meansmounting said guided means on said support for movement in apredetermined curvilinear path, said guided means pivotally connectingthe other end of said balance arm to said guide means, said guided meansbeing continuously movable along said predetermined curvilinear path assaid driving arm imparts translational movement to said window tocontrol swinging said balance arm about said driving arm in a directionopposite the direction of movement of said driving arm and therebycontrol rotational movement of said window about the pivotal connectionof said driving arm to said window by said balance arm, said driving armimparting translational components of movement to said window and saidbalance arm and guided means simultaneously imparting continuouscomponents of rotational movement to said window to cause said window tomove between open and closed positions along a curvilinear path.

9. A window regulator mechanism for continuously imparting simultaneoustranslational and rotational components of movement to a window to movesaid window between open and closed positions along a curvilinear pathcomprising, a support, a pair of spaced curvilinear shaped guide meanson said support, spaced guide follower means on said window respectiveto said guide means, each guide follower means being movable along arespective guide means for guiding movement of said window along saidcurvilinear path, a driving arm pivotally mounted on said support andpivotally connected to said window, a balance arm pivoted on saiddriving arm and pivotally connected to said window, guided means, guidemeans mounting said guided means on said support for movement in apredetermined curvilinear path, said guided means pivotally connectingsaid balance arm to said guide means, said guided means being movablealong said predetermined curvilinear path as said driving arm impartstranslational movement to said window to control swinging of saidbalance arm about said driving arm and thereby control rotationalmovement of said window about said pivotal connection of said drivingarm to said window by said balance arm.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

